Alcaraz: Spooked by Federer Fleet

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Photo credit: Laver Cup

INDIAN WELLS—Armed with the most dangerous arsenal in the game—and an immaculate 14-0 record on the season—Carlos Alcaraz invokes fear factor every time he steps on court.

Lately, the world No. 1 concedes he’s spooked by a recurring specter: the Federer fleet he faces across the net.

Alcaraz met the media after rallying from a set and a break down fending off Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday night and joked he feels as if the Swiss Maestro is stalking him across the net this season.

“Well, to be honest, I just sometimes get tired about playing Roger Federer every round,” said of the lofty level Rinderknech played. “Yeah, sometimes just feel like, yeah, they playing really an insane level.

“I don’t know if I’m feeling not the right way, but I feel it’s just against me all the time. If they play like, you know, that level every match, they should be higher in the ranking. But, you know, obviously is something that concern me. When I’m just playing, I think about that.”

It’s a testament to Alcaraz’s achievement as the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open last month, that so many opponents are fired up to bring their best against him.

Then there’s the fact the undefeated Spaniard has been so dominant, combining with No. 2 Jannik Sinner in combining to capture nine consecutive Grand Slam crowns, many opponents feel they have nothing to lose.

Facing the quality that evokes memories of his tennis hero, Federer, Alcaraz said he’s found two solutions: Accept it and answer by elevating his own level of play.

“You know, all can I do is just accept it, keep it going, trying to, like, do different things in the match, trying to, you know, try not to let him be aggressive or playing his style,” Alcaraz said. “Trying to, you know, put my style, my tennis, my level into the match and trying to turn around the things that what I
try to do. But obviously the first thing is just accept it.”